Below are the rules for the U12 8v8 program. These rules are based on a recommended program from the US Youth Soccer plus additions by a CYSL Board of Directors. Advantages of playing small sided games: More time with coach, Energetic workouts due to playing both offense and defense, More efficient use of field space, Matches can be played simultaneously across a full size field, Children are physically more efficient in smaller space, Children are actively involved for a longer period of time, It takes less time to score a goal or advance to goal, Greater success rate for the players.

Suggested Game Times

Saturdays--Girls U12 – 10:15am; Boys U12 – 2:15pm. The Home Team coach is responsible for notifying the Visiting Team coach of game times, time changes, field changes and weather postponements

Game Format

8 v 8 includes a Goalkeeper

Field Dimensions/Markings

The field of play shall be rectangular, with a suggested length of 70 yards and a width of 55 yards. The length in all cases shall exceed the width. Fields will vary. Striping: Not more than 5 inches wide. Midfiled line shall be marked across the field. A center circle with a radius of 8 yards. Four corner arcs with a 1 yard radius. Goal area - 6 yards from each goal post and 6 yards into the field of play joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal-line. Penalty area - 14 yards from each goal post and 14 yards into the field of play joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal-line.

Goal Dimensions

6 feet high by 18 feet wide

Referees

Center Referee and Two Assistant Referees

Minimum Ref Certification

Grade 9=Center Referee
Grade 8=Assistant Referees

Game Length

65 minutes; two 30 minute halves

Breaks

5 minute half time

# of players

CYSL- A minimum of 6 players must be present to begin play. If 6 players are not present 20 minutes after scheduled start, a forfeit win is awarded to the team with 6 or more players. If both teams have 6 or less players 20 minutes after the scheduled start, then a forfeit loss is assessed to both teams.

Req'd Equipment

Uniforms and equipment will consist of numbered shirts, shorts, socks, and suitable soccer shoes or sneakers. In cases where the colors conflict, the home team must wear an alternate color shirt or pinnie. All shirts must have clearly legible numbers on back or the original number must be clearly visible through the pinnie with no duplicate numbers. Players will be allowed to wear sweat clothes under their uniforms only if sweat clothes match the colors submitted to league. A player shall not wear anything that is considered by the Referee to be dangerous to themselves or to other players. Players will not be allowed to wear any of the following: earrings, finger rings, barrettes of any type, wrist watches, wrist chains, neck chains, shoes with metal cleats, or casts of any type. Sh i n - g u a r d s a r e m a n d a t o r y Players who must wear glasses during the game must wear a glass strap.

Ball

Size #4. Home team is expected to provide a properly inflated game ball.

Subs

On goal kick by either team, after a goal by either team, half-time, during injury stoppage by either team, prior to your own throw-in, prior to your opponents throw-in if they sub.

An injured player must be substituted when he/she is down and the referee stops the play. Goalkeepers are exempt from this rule. The injured player may return to the game on the next substitution.

Goalies

FIFA/CYSL- An indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team when, a goalkeeper handles the ball within his/her penalty area and throws, punts, or kicks the ball across midfield without making contact with the goalkeepers side of the field or being touched by any player on that side of the field. If a goalkeeper dribbles the ball outside the penalty area or does not play the ball with the hands, then the kick may cross the midfield.

Goal Kicks/Corner Kicks

FIFA/CYSL: An indirect free kick shall be awarded to the opposing team when a goalkeeper and/or field player, when making a goal kick, kicks the ball across midfield without making contact with his/her side of the field or being touched by any player on that side of the field. In both cases, the indirect free kick will be taken at the point of the midfield line where the ball crossed.

Thrown-ins

FIFA

Free Kicks

FIFA/CYSL-The penalty mark is ten (10) yards from the center of the goal line and those players other than the kicker and defending goalkeeper are at least eight (8) yards from the penalty marc.